Marine Forest, a project by Redeia and Ecomar

For the preservation of marine ecosystems

The Marine Forest platform is a strategic alliance between the Ecomar Foundation and Redeia to promote the preservation and restoration of marine ecosystems until 2030. This initiative aligns with the recent European Union Nature Restoration Law and the UN's global biodiversity and marine conservation goals.

Recovery of Posidonia meadows in the Valencia Region

The first joint experience of the Marine Forest platform, formed by Redeia and the Ecomar Foundation, will consist of the recovery of Posidonia oceanica meadows in the waters of the Valencian Community. It has the support of the Generalitat Valenciana and other entities in the region.

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Introduction of the platform in Mallorca

On 25 and 26 September, we will present the platform at a scientific seminar we are organising in the bay of Pollença to discuss the threats faced by marine ecosystems and to suggest potential solutions. The event will bring together institutions, public administrations, the scientific community, NGOs, and marine conservation foundations.

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Why do we need to protect marine ecosystems?

Marine ecosystems are one of the main biodiversity reserves on Earth, home to 250,000 species. They are also key to our survival as they capture 26% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions and provide half of the oxygen we breathe.

The Spanish marine ecosystem harbours a gem: Posidonia oceanica, an endemic aquatic plant from the Mediterranean with great ecological and economic value. These seagrass meadows offer shelter and food for around 700 species, many of which are of fishing interest. Additionally, they protect our coasts from erosion and can store twice as much carbon as a temperate, tropical forest—it is estimated that all underwater seagrass meadows on the planet capture 10% of the annual carbon stored in the oceans.

These ecosystems face serious threats, largely caused by human activity.

What are our lines of action?

Our goal is to restore as many hectares as possible by 2030. We are starting in the Mediterranean to leverage our knowledge and experience. In particular, with Posidonia oceanica, an endemic gem from the Mare Nostrum. However, we won’t stop there. This is just the first step in our collaboration for the benefit of marine habitats.

Together with allies, partners, and collaborators who wish to contribute to the platform's objectives, we will work to remove barriers or stressors in marine habitats that prevent their regeneration. Through public and private collaboration in ocean restoration, we seek to expand the potential reach of both species and marine sites to be protected.

We will support new research and innovation projects from scientific and academic institutions to develop new techniques for restoring marine habitats. We will also promote the dissemination of the technical and scientific knowledge acquired in order to increase their impact.

We will develop environmental education and awareness-raising actions and programmes concerning the global importance of a healthy ocean. Our aim is to join forces to increase our impact as we believe that an informed and educated society is key to achieving our goals.

Previous experience and knowledge in service of our seas

The Marine Forest platform was born from Redeia and Ecomar's combined efforts and experience for the preservation of marine ecosystems. Now, they share this knowledge with society and the scientific community, but most importantly, with marine ecosystems.

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Redeia

Through Red Eléctrica, Redeia has a successful track record in the restoration of Posidonia oceanica in the Balearic Islands. The construction of the submarine electricity interconnection between Talamanca (Ibiza) and the bay of Santa Ponsa (Mallorca), along with our commitment to deploy the infrastructure with minimal impact on the Posidonia oceanica seagrass, led the company to develop a research, conservation, and environmental education project in 2014. This initiative has resulted in a valuable methodology for seagrass collection and planting, leading to the recovery of 2 hectares of seagrass meadows in the bay of Pollença (Mallorca).

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Ecomar

After 25 years of caring for our seas and oceans, the Ecomar Foundation is now leading an initiative to advance and assess techniques for the collection, cultivation, and experimental replanting of Posidonia oceanica in new areas for the recovery of seagrass meadows. The project is co-financed by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund through the Pleamar Programme and will result in the collection of at least 18,000 seeds, seedlings, and fragments. It will also involve the restoration of approximately 3 hectares of Posidonia in the Mediterranean basin. The fishing industry and citizens will actively participate in the project.

Contact

If you want to learn more about the platform, email us at bosquemarino@redeia.com.